Since 1985, the lawyers at Shapiro & Appleton have dedicated their practice to helping people when they need it most. Our clients are usually down and out after a serious accident, struggling financially, physically, and emotionally. We take pride in advocating for the downtrodden and injured and getting the financial restitution they are owed.

One of the most effective ways to choose a top-notch attorney is by reviewing their professional accolades and awards. Independent, third-party organizations bestow these recognitions and distinctions and symbolize a level of excellence in the profession.

We are very proud of the success we have had in obtaining large settlements, arbitration awards, judgments, and jury verdicts. Our success is based mainly on our experience in courtrooms across Virginia.

Featuring breaking news stories in Virginia, North Caroling and nationwide. Our news stories about accidents, events, injuries, and lawsuits are researched and published by our team of experienced personal injury attorneys and could help you learn more about your personal injury case.

One of the best ways to gauge the quality of a personal injury law firm is the feedback from prior clients. The reviews and testimonials on this page are authentic and unfiltered. We are proud to have served so many people who needed help during a difficult time.

By adapting and being familiar with not only Virginia and North Carolina Courts, but also Courts throughout the Eastern United States, our attorneys have developed a set of skills that can be incredibly useful in every sort of significant personal injury case.

The attorneys with our firm actively engage in continuing legal education seminars in the field of injury law. Our lawyers have also regularly delivered lectures to personal injury lawyers not only in Virginia but at national trial organizations.

To stay on the leading edge of personal injury law, all of the firm's attorneys are active in local, state, and national personal injury trial law organizations. We also retain the services of forensic animators, videographers, and computer specialists to produce compelling evidence that will persuade a jury to award maximum damages.

To support this claim, Eli Lilly has released the results of a survey of 402 psychiatrists who treat bipolar and schizophrenic patients. More than half of the participating psychiatrists said they believe patients had stopped the medication or reduced the dosage after seeing lawyers’ advertisements.

Drug companies are often protected from lawsuits that stem from their use of advertisements by the “learned intermediary doctrine.” This point of law means that the drug company won’t be liable for claims it makes in advertising as long as you consult with a doctor who prescribes the drugs. It becomes the doctor’s job, not the advertisement’s, to tell you about the risks of the drug.

But now, companies like Eli Lilly want to turn around and hold lawyers liable for similar advertising. Just like the drug company’s ads, which warn patients to consult with their doctors before requesting a prescription, the lawyer’s advertisements tell patients not to discontinue use of the drug without consulting a doctor, says William Berg, whose firm represents more than 100 patients in lawsuits against Eli Lilly.

The bottom line to all of this is that your doctor often knows best about whether or not you should be on a drug. Instead of blindly following advertising from either drug companies or lawyers, you should always consult with a doctor before starting or stopping treatment from a drug.